Introduction Making an application Information to be completed Personal statements References What happens next Clearing, Extra and Adjustment www.uea.ac.uk
Making an application Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) Apply online - www.ucas.com Costs £12 or £23 for 2013 entry Each school/ college has a ‘buzzword’ Sensible email address! Make a note of your password and username Most important section for you is the personal statement Choices… Generally 5 courses 4 if medicine/ dentistry/ veterinary medicine/ veterinary science 1 at Oxford or Cambridge www.uea.ac.uk
Making an application Important deadlines: Oxbridge, medicine, dentistry and veterinary science or veterinary medicine (15 th October) All applications 15 th January Art & design courses (15 th January or 24 th March) UCAS will send the application to the chosen institutions You can track your application online www.uea.ac.uk
Information to be completed Registration Personal details Additional information (UK students only) Choices Education Employment Personal statement Reference (completed by school/college) Pay/Send www.uea.ac.uk
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The personal statement The most important part of your application A tool that universities use in their admissions process Helps you distinguish yourself from others with similar grades Your chance to show off your writing style and talents It’s called PERSONAL for a reason!
The personal statement Firstly type into a word-processing package Then paste statement straight into the box Does not need to be completed in one sitting – can save it Only allowed 47 lines of text with up to 95 characters per line (approximately 600 words) Can click preview to see how many lines entered/ remaining Proof before paste!
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What to include Why you have chosen the course (background reading) Previous subjects studied – particularly those related to desired course Any career plans Work experience or voluntary work – relevant skills Any non-accredited skills and achievement you have gained If you are planning to take a year out, your reasons why – what will you do? Your social, sports or leisure interests Spelling, punctuation and grammar www.uea.ac.uk
What do admissions tutors look for? They want the “best” applicant for their course (i.e. a student who will get a good degree): Three key factors: Academic ability Motivation Research/wider understanding of subject area 70% academic, 30% other www.uea.ac.uk
Top tips Must be relevant Must be clear why you want to do the course – enthusiasm Must be positive, you must sell your skills and experiences Spelling, punctuation and grammar! Get it done! www.uea.ac.uk
Advice from admissions tutors DO mention responsibility with examples of duties undertaken DO be reflective – rather than ‘I like Sport’ explain why DO mention authors/writers/artists when talking about specific research DO spell check and read through with teachers/parents DO be clear – admissions tutors don’t have time to ‘read between the lines’
More advice from admissions tutors: DON’T mention a specific institution unless only applying for one DON’T talk about the content of your A level courses in detail DON’T plagiarise – UCAS will know! DON’T lie, exaggerate or get someone else to write it for you
Example of good personal statement “Nothing exists, and if it did, no one could know it, and if they knew it, they could not communicate it” (Gorgias). “It is this ability of Philosophy to astound and turn conventional ideas on their head that makes it endlessly appealing, and which has ultimately formed the basis of my passion for philosophy. For years I have evidently philosophised, without realising. Films such as ‘The Matrix’, ‘The Truman Show’ and books such as ‘The Lord of the Flies’ and ‘1984’ left me reeling, and puzzling for days over subjects I later found out were called epistemology, meta- ethics and normative ethics.” www.uea.ac.uk
Examples of bad personal statements “I am currently working to address problems I have had meeting deadlines.” “I have few interests outside my studies, as I tend to believe that most such activities are ultimately futile.” “I also have a part - time job at my local Sainsbury’s store. At times this can be very demanding as I work on the delicatessen and some customers can be very picky about how thickly you cut their ham or how well you wrap it.” www.uea.ac.uk
The reference Written by form tutor (and subject teachers) It will contain information about any involvement in school activities, attendance, predicted grades, suitability for higher education/ course It will be positive, supportive and true www.uea.ac.uk
What happens next? Universities will either: Reject you Invite you for an interview Make you an offer You must wait until you have heard from ALL your choices You accept one as your first choice and one as an insurance choice Wait for your results www.uea.ac.uk
Clearing and Extra Clearing Helps eligible students without a place find another course/institution Starts on results day Students ring universities (specific numbers advertised) Extra A way of applying to other universities with vacancies Eligible is used all 5 choices and declined any offers End of February until June One choice at a time www.uea.ac.uk
Some Last Advice and Reminders
Last Advice • Subscribe to UCAS Card • University choices – Check your predicted grades BEFORE applying – Use the UCAS map (travelling costs etc.) • Personal statements • Work Experience / Jobs / Volunteering / Gap Year • References • UCAS Videos • UCAS student line • Funding • Student Finance – February to mid June 2014
Reminders • UEA HE Convention and Preparation • Student’s Check List • All grades must be entered • Update personal details in Track • Stick to our deadlines • UCAS Registration – Mid June • Ranking your choices – April/May 2014 • UCAS and other University Newsletters are emailed to students • All information will be emailed to you
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